Fate And Free Will Used In Romeo And Juliet

1144 words - 5 pages

Fate and Free Will used in Romeo and JulietThe impacts of fate and free will surround us everyday. A major symbol for fate is the stars. Similar to fate, the stars go untouched and cannot be altered. Shakespeare uses fate and free will in Romeo and Juliet to show fate is a predetermined force and free will is by choice. Fate is shown through Romeo and Juliet's doomed love, the characters reaction to fate, and the ending can be seen to be a reply of fate.The idea that the story of Romeo and Juliet was based around doomed love is given from before the story even starts, in the Prologue "A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;" This showing that destiny awaited them. Before Romeo met Juliet he claimed to be in love with Rosaline and didn't think he could have anyone else compare to her."One fairer than my love? The all- seeing sun Ne'er saw her match since first the world began" (I ii lines 92) Romeo thought that he was truly in love with Rosaline, however when he sees Juliet it is love at first sight. He then questions his love for Rosaline." Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night" (I v lines 50) He became aware that it was wrong for him to love her once he knew whom Juliet belonged to. "My only love sprung from my only hate" (I v line 137)Once they knew, they continued to follow their hearts, Romeo couldn't help but love Juliet, and she felt the same about Romeo.Romeo and Juliet met and fell in love through fate, the events leading up to the conclusion involved the characters reply to fate and resulted in their deaths.When Tybalt was instigating a duel, Romeo encouraged Mercutio to fight Tybalt."Gentle Mercutio, put thy rapier up" (III i line 83) Romeo came between them and then Mercutio got stabbed. Romeo replies he "thought all for the best" (III i line 104) although Mercutio continues to wish a plague on both their houses. Romeo's best friend was Mercutio, so when this happened Romeo decided to fight Tybalt. "Alive in triumph and Mercutio slain. Away to heaven, respective lenity, and fire- eyed fury by my conduct now- Now Tybalt, take the 'villain' back again That late thou gav'st me; for Mercutio's soul Is but a little way above our heads, Staying for thine to keep him company; Either thou, or I, or both, must go with him." (III i line 122- 129) Deciding to fight results in Tybalt's death. The plot then takes a dramatic turn. After Romeo kills Tybalt he is banished from Verona, which is a dilemma because he was just previously married to Juliet. "Wert thou as young as I, Juliet thy love, An hour but married, Tybalt murdered, Doting like me, and like me banished" (III iii lines 65- 67) Romeo then goes to Mantua. Juliet decides to ask the first for advice. He then tells her to take a potion, and the result would be that she would fall asleep for 48 hours and then, everyone would be fooled believing that she was dead and then secretly she could be with her Romeo. However the message...

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Fate in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
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